Try as Christy Clark might to wave it on, her BC Rail scandal train has not left the station
Bill Tieleman's 24 hours/The Tyee column
Tuesday December 21, 2010
By Bill Tieleman
"The government has decided they're not going to call a public inquiry into it. As far as I'm concerned, it's case closed."
- Christy Clark, Dec. 13, on the B.C. Legislature Raid case
Not so fast Christy -- the BC Rail corruption trial scandal train has not yet left the station, no matter how much you want to see it get out of town.
The surprise guilty pleas of David Basi and Bob Virk in October and the BC Liberal government's quick decision to not only authorize paying their former ministerial aides' $6 million legal bills but also to reject calls for a public inquiry is simply outrageous.
That's why I've created a new Facebook page -- Basi-Virk Public Inquiry -- to give British Columbians who want to know what really happened in the $1-billion privatization of BC Rail a chance to express their opinions.
Go to www.Facebook.com and search Basi-Virk Public Inquiry to find the page and join up -- with enough support it will be hard for Clark and other BC Liberal leadership candidates Kevin Falcon, George Abbott, Mike de Jong and Moira Stilwell to become premier while ignoring voters demanding answers.
But Clark has the most reasons to desperately want to avoid an independent inquiry that would ask embarrassing questions about the role she and her top leadership campaign team backers played in the BC Rail privatization in 2003, when Clark was deputy premier.
Question still chugging along
There's the fact Christy Clark admits that Patrick Kinsella -- the BC Liberal insider paid $297,000 by BC Rail for "business advice" over four years despite some senior executives there not knowing what he did -- is working on her campaign.
Progressive Group owner Kinsella is currently a B.C. registered lobbyist for liquor business and other interests. He co-chaired -- with Christy -- the 2001 BC Liberal election campaign. Has she discussed what he did for BC Rail for $297,000 from 2001 to 2005 while she sat in cabinet?
What would Kinsella's role be if Clark were premier?
Bruce Clark, Christy's brother, had his home office searched by police the same day as their unprecedented raid on the B.C. Legislature on Dec. 28, 2003.
A "statement of facts" agreed to by both Special Prosecutor Bill Berardino and defence lawyers says police found confidential government information on a second BC Rail privatization of its Roberts Bank spur line in Clark's home and that it came from Basi and Virk.
The line was estimated to be worth about $70 million.
Clark was a lobbyist for the Washington Marine Group at the time and the Roberts Bank bidding was cancelled after police informed then-transportation minister Kevin Falcon that the process was tainted.
We now know that key Crown witness Erik Bornmann alleged in an April 2004 interview with police that he was paying Basi bribes shortly after the BC Liberals took office in 2001 and long before the sale of BC Rail, according to more search warrant "information to obtain" records released by the courts in response to an application by the Globe and Mail, CTV, CBC and Global TV.
The Bornmann interview cited in the police ITO also alleges that he, Bruce Clark and David Basi had "casual discussions" prior to the BC Liberal election win about setting up a lobbying firm.
Bruce Clark has been a long-time federal Liberal Party fundraiser, chairing their "Laurier Club" high-end donor program as recently as 2009. He was also involved in both the successful Paul Martin and Stephane Dion leadership campaigns and has been an executive member of the federal Liberal Party in B.C.
Bruce Clark has also been a lobbyist fighting smoking bans in bars in the past and more recently a vice-president of independent power producer Green Island Energy, which was trying to develop a bio-energy project in Gold River in partnership with U.S. energy giant Covanta.
So, is Bruce Clark involved in sister Christy's campaign? Has she discussed with Bruce why the then-deputy premier's brother had confidential government documents related to BC Rail in his possession, or why police searched his house, or why he was not charged with any offences?
What role would Bruce Clark play if Christy became premier?
The Campbell connection
Interestingly, Patrick Kinsella, Bruce Clark and Erik Bornmann all came together in a business venture called Canada Payphone in the late 1990s, along with major Gordon Campbell backer Peter Brown's Canaccord Capital.
Clark was president, Bornmann communications director and Kinsella a board of directors' member.
Christy Clark's ex-husband, Mark Marissen, was the brains behind Stephane Dion's successful leadership campaign and Paul Martin's top lieutenant in B.C. when he pushed Jean Chretien out of the prime minister's office.
Marissen and Clark were visited by RCMP at their then home in 2003, where Marissen cooperated fully regarding questions about Basi and Virk.
Is Marissen, a former federal lobbyist and current federal Liberal Party organizer, also involved in Clark's drive to become premier?
And of course Clark's campaign manager Mike McDonald was alleged by the Basi-Virk defence in pre-trial court hearings to have worked with Basi to coordinate political dirty tricks like having paid callers stack radio talk shows to promote the BC Liberals.
Those allegations are of course unproven and McDonald has never commented on them.
McDonald's wife Jessica was Gordon Campbell's senior deputy minister till 2009.
Dodging and weaving?
Questions about Bruce Clark, Kinsella and Marissen were sent to the Christy Clark campaign team. At press time there was no response.
But don't expect Christy Clark to be forthcoming, as she is well ahead of her BC Liberal Party competitors in the race to become her party's leader and the province's new premier. Talking about Basi-Virk as the 7th anniversary of the B.C. Legislature Raid approaches is not in her interest.
Just listen to what the on-leave radio host said to CKNW colleague Bill Good when questioned on Dec. 13:
Bill Good: "A lot of people think you have baggage when it comes to BC Rail. Your ex-husband Mark Marissen, your brother, have ties to BC Rail, it was alleged that you shared information with lobbyist Erik Bornmann. How do you deal with that?"
Christy Clark: "Well, I mean, you know, those were allegations that were completely and totally false. I don't think I need to deal with that. I was never involved in it."
"There was one allegation thrown around in court -- it was never mentioned again. I was never called to court from either side. I mean, I just don't have any involvement with that so you know I think we are going to move forward, the government has decided they're not going to call a public inquiry into it. As far as I'm concerned Bill, it's case closed," an uncomfortable Clark concluded.
But it's not case closed when it comes to someone who wants to be premier of the province.
Join Basi-Virk Public Inquiry on Facebook -- demand that Christy Clark and other leadership candidates answer tough and important questions.
And Merry Christmas to all my blog/24 hours/Tyee readers -- thanks for your comments and support all year!
But keep watching this blog for updates over the holiday season.
.
50 comments:
Hi Bill,
I feel even more informed after reading your latest blog. There are surprises, but I, for one, would want to see the government call an inquiry into the BC Rail and I would like to see, when the inquiry occurs, to have someone in place, besides former judges and/or lawyers that may have been directly or indirectly involved with the Liberals, whether provincial or federal.
For when the inquiry occurs and it shall, we ought to call on qualified regular citizens, with a clear mind and clear spirit, and more than one citizen that seeks the truth and are unbiased. The panel should consist of no more than five BC citizens who have an interest solely on the state of this province and ultimately this country. It is my view that there are many citizens in this province that could qualify in heading and also hearing the inquiry.
I wish you a Merry-X-Mas and I look forward in reading your next blog. 2011 should be an interesting time.
Happy New Year,
Tina Zanetti
A bit late on this one.
Tsakumis is covering this file in detail.
But a good question would be:
Between Tieleman and Tsakumis, who has the better stuff?
Tsakumis also has the scoop on the Bornmann supporters who wrote character letters to the Law Society of Upper Canada.
Many of these people are Christy Clark supporters. It is hard to believe that they support Erik Bornmann becoming a lawyer.
Don't look for them to support your facebook page.
Most people in the province are not aware of all the information regarding B.C. Rail, Basi-Virk, and Clark. Until they are there is still a good chance she will win the leadership and the next election.
The large news organizations are not providing any information and I don't expecgt them to in the near future.
There should be a full scale inquiry with a federal judge, from outside the province leading it.
If it all came out what went on with BC Rail, Hydro, sea to sky highway, etc. it would make "on the take" look like a minor detail.
"There should be a full scale inquiry with a federal judge, from outside the province leading it.
If it all came out what went on with BC Rail, Hydro, sea to sky highway, etc. it would make "on the take" look like a minor detail.
Not bad, but who would pay for it?
This thing has become excessively expensive up to this point, and some left winger out there is going to be very critical of the outcome if it does not go a conculsion that they wanted to see
Sea to Sky Highway project has nothing to do with BC Rail fiasco.
The two are completely different.
Sir - Thanks for taking up the fight on the BCRail Scandal. We are due for a public inquiry and the more people taking up the cause for this the better. There is room for many voices to draw the public's attention to this scandal: Tsakumis, Tieleman and Smyth , Willcocks etc.
The voices demanding a Public Inquiry needs to reach a crescendo!
Who in the hell pays for the court costs of those criminal found "guilty"??? Esp. when it totals $6million??
I can only deduce: Another guilty party!
(ps many folks run away from anything to do with facebook. make sure your posts are open to non-memebrs. And provide an alternate site such as your blog. )
Bill,
Do you think that Falcon, Dejong or Abbott would call an inquiry?
I doubt it. So its not just a christy thing, but all of the candidates have said no to the inquiry.
What is the reason for the fixation on Christy?
The BC Libs will do everything in their power to ensure there is no public inquiry. So vote the clowns out of the job. The excuse of costs is a red herring. Heck if BC can afford 500 million for a roof on a old stadium plus millions thrown around like confetti, whats a few millions to clean up the stench of Liberal involvement in selling a railway that was making money for BC to some company. Monty Python looked very credible compared to the nut cases running BC right now.If Clark figures her ex plus her bother have clean hands, heck her suggesting a public inquiry would make her look good.
Regarding the question whether who between Tieleman and Tsakumis, has the better stuff? It seems to me both have some of the same facts, however Bill Tieleman has covered this subject for very long time and appears to be on top of it. Further Bill Tieleman has a lot of credibility and he is not on the attack but basically he appears as though he is looking for resolution.
Tsakumis on the other hand appears as though he is running for office. Now for which office would Tsakumis be running for? Who knows, however his investigation is not always credible. For example the man Tsakumis interviewed regarding Mayor Roberston. That interview was made without the identity of the person complaining about City Hall.
to Anonymous 12:03 PM, Hers is an excerpt from another story covering this subject....http://lailayuile.wordpress.com/2010/10/31/shadow-tolls-on-sea-to-sly-highway-the-william-r-bennett-bridgeand-the-bc-rail-connection/
From the sale of BC’s rail
operations, the transport ministry is
investing US$166m in the project – which
is covering the first phase of the project,the
traditionally procured construction work ”
Phenomenal. This article, written in a well-regarded international infrastructure publication, states that $166 million US dollars from the sale of B.C.’s rail operation was used to finance the first stage of the Sea to Sky highway, Phase 1. Could it be true? The BC Liberals have never really come up with where that money went, or why, to my knowledge. The million dollar question.
Hi Bill:
Thanks for the blog. It isn't at all important to me who was first to break this or that part of the conspiracy. Its just good to have the news out in as many places as possible so that people are informed about their government and who runs things.
However, I don't see the Liberals agreeing to hold an inquiry into the BC Rail scandal, let alone ensuring an impartial process, unless there is a massive public outcry like the HST protest and recall campaign. Without that, our only hope is a victory in the next election by the NDP whose interest it also is to identify all the culprits.
And, in deed, as Anonymous asks, where did all the proceeds go? From highway projects to railway upgrades and insider deals -- as we learned in Watergate -- follow the money.
Have a good and safe holiday season.
All I want to see is that big oversized cheque from CN rail with the drunk gordo holding it. Where is it? Better still show me the money. Recall them all!
AGT Vs Bill T? Hands down Bill T was and still on task with the corrupt sale facts, and cover-up of the sale of BC Rail. AGT has many comments seem written with the same style and flair. His maybe? Yup.
Kam Lee
Alan said... 5:49 PM PST
Hi Bill:
Thanks for the blog. It isn't at all important to me who was first to break this or that part of the conspiracy. Its just good to have the news out in as many places as possible so that people are informed about their government and who runs things.
----------------------------------
I agree 101%
All info into the BC RAIL situation is important... what isn't is the gossip and personality slurs towards other bloggers made by anonymous comment posters. It takes away the credibility of the messages by all.
That is what the guilty and corrupt are counting on, some of the comments here are playing into their hands...its a diversion.
To all the naysayers and denyers that are worried about costs of an inquiry and the like. And those that would suggest that there is no story or perhaps less than what there appears to be. Would you rather allow the same people that orchestrated what is by far the smelliest deal in recent BC history to perhaps regain power and continue where they left off.
Recall is the only hope of pulling the carpet out from under them as a couple of nasty by-election losses whould take the wind out of the liberals. A commitment to a full scale lock 'em up make 'em pay inquiry is
the only way any aspiring MLA will get my vote. And it could be for any party too. This is necessary to clean up BC politics and return some semblance of ownership to the electorate.
And thanks only to any and all non advertizing paid investigative online journalists and bloggers that have actually kept the news coming and will continue to allow people like myself, who are being bombarded by spun messaging to see what is really going on.
Like tonight on Newshour, soft sell with no politicos on how our 5 year cancer expectancy is the best and a couple of other puffballs all crafted to make us think we are led by superheros. Like ICBa members, all of the MSM advertisers should be boycotted as well.
Well all this dick-waving by the numerous fans of B.T or A.G.T. over who deserves more credit is not important.
Basigate crosses the boundaries of journalism and ideology to the simple phrase . . . CRIMINAL ACTIVITY.
It does not matter if the source is left, right or centerist, because criminal behavior is illegal no matter one's politics.
Sadly whatever is said or done now, by the end of February 2011 . . . a member of a decade long criminal conspiracy will be premier of BC.
Once in power this agent of an Evil Empire will do or say anything ethical/unethical, legal or illegal to hold on to and acquire even more power and wealth for themselves, their fellow conspirators and their BC Kleptocratic Party.
Aided by their fellow-travellers and Quislings in BC beautiful celeb media they will "win" the next "democratically" fixed election.
So the real issue is when does the talk and text end and The Action begin?!
The GREAT SATAN
Friends - I appreciate the positive comments but have no wish to invite comparisons with anyone. I've quickly posted almost all comments today but am dealing with a family illness and haven't had time to address this.
I welcome all who question the Basi-Virk situation, period, MSM, blogger, citizen.
And I remain convinced that the truth will out if good people demand it.
Bill said: "I welcome all who question the Basi-Virk situation, period, MSM, blogger, citizen.
And I remain convinced that the truth will out if good people demand it."
Exactly. Best wishes for your family and hope that everything turns out well.
"You can`t remove the Stench that follows Christy Clark no more than you can stop gulls from following a tuna boat"
One good thing about Gordon Campbell, he never dyed his hair.
Christy Clark?
Why does the BCR deal still stand as this is an admittedly criminally tainted process? Surely this should totally discredit the entire deal.What about the unindicted co-conspirators?
I am of the opinion that we definitely need a full judicial inquiry on the BC Rail sale.
Ever since the raid on the Legislature in December, 2003, Gordo & Co. have hidden behind "it's before the courts" whenever asked about anything pertaining to the sale. Then we get the aborted Basi-Virk-Basi trial, which did nothing but add more questions as to what actually transpired.
The inferences by all of the BC Liberal MLAs, Christy Clark and the majority of the MSM that the conclusion of the BVB trial brings the sale of BC Rail to a conclusion is nothing but self-serving garbage. I'm sure the biggest reason they want this debate to go away is that whatever becomes exposed by an inquiry will undoubtedly lead to questions about many more contentious decisions the BC Liberals have implemented during their reign. So much of what has occured politically in this province since 2001 involves the same cast of characters that were supposedly involved in the BC Rail debacle, and I'm sure that is the last thing anyone tied to the BC Liberal Party wants to happen.
Let's hope that those that have aspirations to become the new leader of the BC NDP Party declare that one of the first things they will do is call the inquiry that the citizens of BC deserve, and whomever is successful, carries it out.
We, the citizens of BC deserve nothing less. After all, it was the taxpayers of BC that funded the construction and development of the infrastructure of BC Rail from the time of WAC Bennett, and it our right to know why we have sold an asset for pennies on the dollar.
Intresting that there is rampant critical comment about the MSM, but is continually quoted and referred to here.
Hypocrisy?
Can Bill not get his own individual sources on this file?
Also seems to be more about Campbell and the BC Liberals than the mechanics of the sale its-self.
Carry on though.
Interesting to note that no BC Liberal leadership candidate has discussed the issue of lobbying in BC in light of the recent disclosure that Erik Bornmann paid bribes for years.
But when BC Liberals are relying on lobbyist for fundraising and campaign workers, why would you want to?
Bill, do you ever get tired of being so even tempered and sensible? You are seriously the most patient and long term thinker I've experienced.
You're a better person than me - but you make me want to try harder. Thanks again for all your positive work!
Upcoming televised debate
- leader of the BC NDP - "Ms Clark, since you want to clear your name and your husband and your brother (including every senior advisor on your campaign), why won't you call for an independent public inquiry into the BC Rail fiasco?
- Christy Clark - "Well, mmm, I mean, that's a closed chapter - I mean book - mmmm, that's an unfair question."
- leader of the BC NDP - "I ask again. Ms Clark, since you want to clear your name.... what part did you and your brother play in the sale of BC Rail?"
- Christy Clark -" Well, mmm, this is unfair questioning about my family..." "I had nothing to do with that deal/sale/scandal..." "Bill, Vaughn, Michael, can't you get control of this debate like we paid you to?"
"..brother play in the sale of BC Rail?"
- Christy Clark -" Well, mmm, this is unf"
*clik"
"Voice of the Province with Vaughn Pa.."
*clik*
"On Eee Tee Tonight. Who was seen with Paris Hil.."
*clik*
"Let's Play Million Dollar Money Drop! Here are tonight's contestants!
Good Gawd! You sound like a bunch of pre-teens scrapping. Bill T. is better than Alex! No he isn't Yes he is! No! Yes!No!
What we need is a united front to deal with this devil/dragon. And why are we all waiting for someone else to instigate this Public Inquiry. Someone should take a swipe at Bornmann/Falcon (not Christy - you can't hit a lady) a la Alex and the biker. (Sorry, I can't provide the link)Then bring up the whole sordid mess when they take you to court.If the voter can get incensed at something as inconsequential as the HST, there should a Firestorm of Protest over BC Rail. And I'm afraid there isn't that level of indignation - no, FURY! If I was only 50 years younger I'd.... Oh,never mind - I'd be behind bars just for thinking it!
I'm afraid this is going to slither away if we wait for the MSM to take it on. Or the NDP, or...? Gotta grab hold of this dragon and not let go until the fire is out! YES!
Exactly, John's Aghast. To one of your points, maybe Xmass is a bad season for breaking news. Nevertheless, I would guess there are a lot of bored people out there that are still mesmerized by the sheer arrogance and greed of the Liberal power brokers and their front (wo)men and the duplicity of the mainstream media. As you say, no one thought the HST and recall campaigns would have such traction. The "new" BC Rail story would get a boost from nearly any spark, like charges to the criminals who bought public servants and more details from leaked documents about Christie and her back room boys. But leadership campaigns and elections should do it. In the meantime, let's have charges against the criminals buying public servants for a start.
Your comments about the trolls who want to create discord by pitting one blogger against the other are also well taken. Lets have everyone talking and leaking.
Best thing to keep in mind is that there are a lot of different values and ideas coming from this blog, and the democratic approach will prevail however, in the long haul when anyone of us take the time out, while we may need a united front, the united front won't happen until we can accept each others different views and opinions.
This is the time of year to Pray for peace on earth and Goodwill to all, including those who would harm us and subsequently harm the state.
Merry X-Mas
Tina Zanetti
Hi bill
Hope everything turns out ok for you and yours in 2011. Basically the voters in BC should remember that if the corrupt Liberals win the next election they will carry on with their corrupt ways and they will never allow anything from the past 9 years to be brought before the courts. Things will get much worse for the taxpayers of BC. BC is another province that is being run by the Americans for their best interest. BC Hydro will probably end up being
a profitable "ENRON" for the yanks.
Even the Mafia is getting involved with the free enterprise
system They never had it so good,you can steal money and if you get caught you get a bonus.
Voters have to come to grips with the fact that there are mp's and mla's who are on the take. Why would some one you helped to get elected sell off our public assets to a foreigner No one would do that for nothing. Sorry. Are Swiss secret bank accounts still available?
Free enterprise is the newest, very expensive welfare program
"Best thing to keep in mind is that there are a lot of different values and ideas coming from this blog,"
Seems to be more of the same old whining and complaining and continually going on about Campbell than getting into the real mechanics of the deal.
"and the democratic approach will prevail however, in the long haul when anyone of us take the time out, while we may need a united front, the united front won't happen until we can accept each others different views and opinions. "
Good luck in getting that to happen here.
I've seen better cooperation coming from a collective bargining meeting with the UFCW and the Grocerg store management reps.
"This is the time of year to Pray for peace on earth and Goodwill to all, including those who would harm us and subsequently harm the state. "
The state has done a good job of doing that to themselves.
Alex has recently posted better stuff. The bloggers here just keep whining and complaining
Anono-Mouse @12:03 is being either retarded, willfully ignorant or disingenuous with:
"Sea to Sky Highway project has nothing to do with BC Rail fiasco.
The two are completely different.
The two are intimately related because a big part of the whole BC Rail Scam is all about alienation of public lands and real estate speculation/development - especially along the sea to sky corridor (But in the BC Rail scam etending through the province to the Peace River Valley). This has been documented at Laila's blog, BC Mary's and my own place at the House of Infamy. Gordon Campbell is all about alienation of public (or government land grant) lands not just with railroads but also with lands that were once public forest holdings as near Sooke and the Arrow Lakes TFL.
Don't even get me going on the ongoing attack on ALR lands by Gordo and his greedy goons. With the LIEberals it isn't about benefiting society as a whole, but putting money into the pockets of the right people, THEIR FRIENDS and THEMSELVES!
Hi Bill
I cannot bring myself to believe that there isn't more to this BC Rail deal than just these two nitwits Basi/Virk. Not only does the whole affair stink to high heaven, but their latest, 11 hour admission, also smells of hush money. What a couple of clowns - they certainly made themselves an easy target and were just as easly set-up. The Liberals couldn't let them sink, because they knew too much, much like the BC Rail executives the Liberals kept on the payroll for so long; when there was no BC Rail to look after.
I've always felt there are a lot more questions then there are answers - Christy Clark is not squeaky clean in this matter.
Suggestion: pressure campaign on BC's federal caucus members, until one of them raises the demand for a public inquiry in the House of Commons, either because of petitions or endless phonecalls and emails. "It is necessary to raise it here, Mr. Speaker, because the people of British Columbia have no faith in the government of their province to investigate itself". Pretty much the way things are; and I don't expect much from any of them; unless even their close supporters join in the chorus.
YOu'd think the federal Tories would want to devour the Liberal faction of the BC Liberals over this, with all its Liberall inner-circle flavour. But of course they've been cooperating all along, helping fiddle with who's on the bench and not submitting what is known to be an unfair bidding process to the Competition Board?
Which of our BC Members of Parliament has the guys to tsand up in the House and ask "Significant evidence points to the bidding process connected with the sale of BC Rail to CN was complained about by withdrawn bidders as being rigged in favour of CN from the start. Why has the Competition Bureau taken up on investigation of these contracts and the process associated with them".
We know we won't see a Liberal rise to ask why CN was privatized in the first place, and it's not the Tories' place to answer such a question; and "where were they went it happened" (on-side, most likely). And where were the NDP?
Whole situation kinda makes ya pine for FIRA, huh?
I for one, feel that Jenny Kwan had to do what she had to do. She didn't have a choice. She should not feel alone in applying a little fortitude to an unpleasant task. Carol James was branded by many as a weak leader and would have undoubtedly lost the next election - during the Gordon Campbell free-fall era, when his popularity tumbled and the Liberals were struggling; Carol James and the NDP should have been at the top of the heap, but weren't - WHY? There was no excuse and no answer - any of the new Liberal candidates would have regained all of their parties previous loses. Truth be known, the best candidates are those who are willing to run for the party and constituencies should not be held at bay to fill quotas.
When it comes to the HST and the recall campaign, I feel it should continue full steam ahead despite the efforts of the Liberal Party in trying to derail it. Get it "derail" we no longer have a railroad, so good luck to the Liberals on that front. We the public have spoken, we expect that our elected representatives will listen and reflect our needs in the Legislatative Assemly - the party line and its self-serving interests should be secondary. It is time that the politicians got the message and responded to the wishes of the electorate accordingly, anything else is totally unacceptable. This is a way for the public to fire its representative, if they are not performing to the electorates expectations or doing what they are mandated and elected to do.
Merry Christmas to you Bill, and all your readers! I have a special Christmas greeting and the Liberal Christmas Carol for you over at my site...
http://lailayuile.wordpress.com/2010/12/24/love-is-whats-in-the-room-with-you-at-christmas-if-you-stop-opening-presents-and-listen-attributed-to-a-very-wise-7-year-old-named-bobby/
"The two are intimately related because a big part of the whole BC Rail Scam is all about alienation of public lands and real estate speculation/development - especially along the sea to sky corridor (But in the BC Rail scam etending through the province to the Peace River Valley)."
That's a bit of a strech. Care to apply the same speculation when the NDP expanded the Island Highway's capacity between Nanaimo and Courtenay? to Campbell River? That despite the fact that very little was done as part of the first stages of that project from Nanaimo south to Duncan, and nothing has ever been done by the NDP to make the Malahat safer.
Try again, Sunshine, and next time start from the beginning. The Sea to Sky except for some widening projects had never been upgraded from Horseshoe Bay to Squamish and most certainly never was when the NDP was in power.
" This has been documented at Laila's blog, BC Mary's and my own place at the House of Infamy. Gordon Campbell is all about alienation of public (or government land grant) lands not just with railroads but also with lands that were once public forest holdings as near Sooke and the Arrow Lakes TFL. "
SO who would care about obviously biased blogs? I doubt how the TFL around Sooke which was owned by Western Forest would have anything to do with BC Rail, and certainly did not have anything to do with the Sea to Sky so why even bother with linking the two (unless once again you're wailing about the corrupt Campbell government, but that's old news, Sunshine).
Would you oinion on the same kind of misdeeds once the NDP becomes
government? I doubt you would.
"Don't even get me going on the ongoing attack on ALR lands by Gordo and his greedy goons. With the LIEberals it isn't about benefiting society as a whole, but putting money into the pockets of the right people, THEIR FRIENDS and THEMSELVES!"
Just as the NDP did with the insistence that the labour contracts for the Inland Island Highway were required to be set to union wages, and your friend Harry Lali couldn't find an extra $10 million to make the HOW Lane on the Port Mann Bridge reversible, but the NDP somehow was able to find $500 million on the backs of poor and disadvantaged to pay for aluminum hulled ferries.
and let's not forget the disaster caused by the NDP when some schmuck in that government decided the mentally ill should be put out to public pasture and many because of that dumb policy ended up on the Downtown East side where they never received the help they desperatly need.
Merry Christmas Sunshine, and try not to get too worked up.
This is after all just entertainment and no one in this blog is making bill paying money for posting personal opinions so it is jsut a hobby, time filling activity.
The Sea to Sky except for some widening projects had never been upgraded from Horseshoe Bay to Squamish and most certainly never was when the NDP was in power.
what a bunch of horseshit. The NDP FOUNDED Whistler and were the first to upgrade Hwy 99. Widening and expansion work went on in the whole corridor from 1991-2001. What the f*****g hell are you talking about?
And the issue is the lands, dude, the lands. Much like the Coquihalla project, when the Bennett family bought up land in the Nicola Valley prior to the highway's announcement - but the real issue here is the BC Rail lands, which CN now has for whole, impressive and ultra-expensive $1.
And the Island Highway wasn't a PPP, and wasn't a project that paid money to a friend/benefactor of the ruling party's to keep it operating, shadow tolls and all.
You denialists are all cut from the same cloth: ignorance.
Hey Anon12:20 when all else fails bring in the fast cat ferries,those ships are reported to be doing quite well in their new home. Lot's of little BC companies made money, trained tradespeople in new welding methods, and of course they all paid taxes to BC. Unlike the tubs BC Ferries had built,in a German yard heavily subsidized and BC gets no tax money from the construction of the German ones.
Good wishes for the holiday season and hopefully the BC folks will get enough sense to shove the rest of Gordos' gang out the door as soon as he leaves
Skookum1 said: "what a bunch of horseshit. The NDP FOUNDED Whistler and were the first to upgrade Hwy 99. Widening and expansion work went on in the whole corridor from 1991-2001. What the f*****g hell are you talking about?"
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Being a frequent traveller along the Horseshoe Bay/Squamish/Whistler corridor since I was a kid in the mid-1970's, you are certainly wrong and misleading on all counts.
I'm familiar with all improvements/upgrades thereto from the Brackendale by-pass to date and nothing material was done during the 1991 - 2001 time frame.
The only material upgrades along the HSB to Squamish section were the 1980's replacement of the old 2-lane wooden trestles (M-Creek, Alberta Creek, Harvey Creek, Charles Creek, etc.) with concrete clear spans and a 4-lane cross-section for future upgrades.
Concurrently, concrete flumes and retention structures were also constructed along many creek beds at a cost approaching $100 million.
Those 4-lane bridge cross-sections from the 1980's were finally incorporated into the recent S2S upgrades.
During the late '70's site specific work was also undertaken along the Squamish/Whistler section in terms of 3-laning through parts of the Cheakamus Canyon, the Brakendale by-pass, and blasting in other northern areas in order to upgrade the width of the 2-lane cross-section. I can go on and on but my point is...
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Skookum1 said: "You denialists are all cut from the same cloth: ignorance."
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Yup. Sure. Back at ya. Name me one site specific highway upgrade along the S2S corridor during the 1991 - 2001 time frame. Just one! You can't. Because there weren't any. :D
Anonymous said at 12:40 PM PST "Merry Christmas Sunshine, and try not to get too worked up."
Why so nasty and petty "Anonymous sunshine"?
You say: "This is after all just entertainment and no one in this blog is making bill paying money for posting personal opinions so it is jsut a hobby, time filling activity."
Me thinks anonymous does protest too much. I am sure you are beyond reproach. But why would you bother denying the obvious that paid Lieberal political operatives regularly try to disrupt, cause conflict and spread disinformation on call-in shows like CKNW and probably blogs too. I don't know for sure but a check of the IP addresses by Bill or the sys admin of comments would probably turn up some interesting information."
Anyway, "anonymous sunshine", follow the money and look at the big picture. Oh, yes, have a good holiday too and try to bring some cheer!
All the best to the rest of the bloggers who are trying to shed some light on the give-away (oops, "sale") of public assets to friends and privitization of services to friends. I wonder what Stevie will give Gordo when he steps down?
@Tom Richardson: Well, I guess I didn't drive 99 much in the '90s, then; seems to me it was a lot different when I did drive up there towards the end of that decade than it had been when I left Whistler in '88 (I'd lived there since '81). I guess any difference in the road was due to spending arranged/contracted during the Vander Zalm years....you seem to have missed Brohm Ridge, from Brohm Lake to the defile before Cheakamus Canyon, and Culliton Creek (which had to be repaired post-82 because the sand foundations on one side were eaten away by the flooding event that year), though. Seems to me there was some widening, too, between Daisy Lake and Whistler, after the Socreds left power; again maybe those were Socred-cut arrangements. And if the NDP neglected Whistler's road access in those years, I suppose it's highway-politics-as-usual, with Whistler, though spawned by the NDP, never voted for them and there must have been resentment of this among NDP ranks/planners. I wasn't in the area in 1972-75 but I can't see the NDP creating the RMOW and not doing anything about its access issues (despite the way the place's business community, which had benefitted from the special powers granted it by RMOW legislation, turned on their socialist creators).
it was always interesting to me to see centrally-planned government created by a social democratic government upended and embraced by free-enterprises willing to exploit their special legal situation....
Christy as leader and or premier says, Ms.Clark is willing to work with the old boys club,again.
This does and will prove that Ms. Clark holds no integrity.
It is known that Ms. Clark has affillation with people who have gotten of scottfree because they work for government!
No justice doesn't mean not a criminal!
"what a bunch of horseshit. The NDP FOUNDED Whistler and were the first to upgrade Hwy 99. Widening and expansion work went on in the whole corridor from 1991-2001. What the f*****g hell are you talking about?"
Wrong. Whistler came about originally as a bid location for the 1968 Winter Olympics, and later the 1976 Winter Olympics, but the NDP government did not want the games being there.
There was very little work done on the Sea to Sky Highway othber than some widening and bridge replacements between Sunset Beach and Squamish. A very narrow section of highway through the Cheakums Canyon, a remnant of the old and later paved over logging road existed and wasn't replaced until the early 2000s.
"And the issue is the lands, dude, the lands. Much like the Coquihalla project, when the Bennett family bought up land in the Nicola Valley prior to the highway's announcement - but the real issue here is the BC Rail lands, which CN now has for whole, impressive and ultra-expensive $1."
Care to cite exactly what lands were bought by the Bennett family, and while you're at it, why not explain to us here just how is it that VanCity Credit Union has been controlled by NDPers since its incorporation by Bob Williams?
"And the Island Highway wasn't a PPP, and wasn't a project that paid money to a friend/benefactor of the ruling party's to keep it operating, shadow tolls and all."
Never said the Island Highway was a PPP. Never was. But care to explain how it was that the NDP insisted on union wage at the site, and the project was overdesigned for the traffic flows north of Courtenay for the Courtenay to Campbell River section?
"You denialists are all cut from the same cloth: ignorance."
So are alot of NDPers like yourself, Sunshine.
Try to revisit some facts before writing censored potty words.
Well 10:21 am pst, when gordo the imapler is thrown out with all his fellow liers, you as a PABsmear will be out of a job. Over 220 of you spindoctors will have to get a real job. Seems the more you spin, the worse gordo the drunk looks.
Kam Lee
A half point for Skook. What the NDP did was turn the village of Alta Lake as it was called back then, into a Resort Muncipality, done in 1975, but they did not themselves start Whistler. A timeline (NDP was government from August 1972 to December 1975):
1966 - Whistler officially opens for skiing.
1975 -Whistler becomes the first "Resort Municipality" in Canada .
1977 -The new municipality is given 53 acres of Crown land to develop a town centre.
1978 -Construction begins on the new town centre that will eventually become Whistler Village.
1980 -Blackcomb Mountain opens creating one of the largest ski complexes in North America.
1985 -Blackcomb Mountain expands its terrain and becomes North America's only "Mile High Mountain".
1992 -Snow Country Magazine votes Whistler the "Number One Ski Resort in North America" and the trend continues for almost a decade.
1998 -Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains merge under Intrawest Corporation.
2003 - The International Olympic Committee (IOC) announces Vancouver/Whistler as the Host City for the 2010 Olympic Winter and Paralympic Winter Games
Happy New Year to all including foaming at the mouth blog members.
and please, mind your language. It isn't nessesary to blankety-blank basic descriptions of reproduction of mammals such as Liberals, NDPers, BC First Party Members, Conservatives, federal Liberals, federal Conservatives...
Its not "just" about corruption and payoffs at the highest levels of public office, including the police, its about declaring the privatization of BC Rail (for one) illegal and rescinding returning it to the people of B.C. and Canada. Its also about asking why the people who bribed and had possession of BC Rail documents illegally acquired from (the Basi/Virk docs) have not been charged. Surely, its illegal to bribe public officials and/or to have possession of those documents?
We want BC Rail back! Bill Gates has more than enough money to buy his own country. He can start a railway there.
Finally, I think everyone should just ignore the Lieberal Trolls who just want to discourage everyone from doing anything. I really don't care if they join the NDP. The party is better without them. Let the trolls start a new party or join the Liberal/SoCred?Cons. They are all neo-cons, or as Marci MacDonald says, theo-cons, anyway.
Happy New Year to all and specially our anonymous "sunshine" Troll.
Finally, I think everyone should just ignore the Lieberal Trolls who just want to discourage everyone from doing anything. I really don't care if they join the NDP. The party is better without them. Let the trolls start a new party or join the Liberal/SoCred?Cons. They are all neo-cons, or as Marci MacDonald says, theo-cons, anyway.
Why just ignore the NDPers who rant and rave and continually get their facts wrong? and aso those who seem to be self-righteous about everything. If bloggers figure they are worthy of it, start a new party and let them lead.
Happy New Year to all and specially our anonymous "sunshine" Troll.
Happy new Year to every one including the self righteous left wingers and the sunshine troll.
Remember folks, this is just a hobby blog, and for entertainment.
Also a location to view BC's finest Whines.
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